Ex-gratia for victim of security force firing in Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned Rs one lakh ex-gratia to the next of the kin of two youths who drowned after they were allegedly chased by security forces and another person killed in security force firing in the north Kashmir, an official spokesman said.

Kashmir divisional commissioner Asgar Hassan Samoon has announced Rs one lakh each to next of kin of two people of Batwani village in Ganderbal district who died due to drowning inSumbal area.

Rs one lakh has also been sanctioned to the next of kin of the person who died in Watergam village of Rafiabad in District Baramulla.

Seven people drowned in the river Jhelum in Sumbal area of Ganderbal district after they were allegedly chased by security forces on February 10.

Sources said five of them swam to safety while two identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat and Zameer Ahmad Dar drowned. The bodies were later fished out and handed over to their relatives, evoking massive protests by locals, who were joined by people from the adjoining areas.

A police spokesperson, however, said a boat, which was ferrying people from Batwani to Wangipora, Sumbal over river Jhelum, capsized.